Great War Routes
Retrace the First World War routes in the Adamello–Presanella mountains, exploring forts, trenches, military posts and historic pathways. Eight itineraries lead you through places marked by the Great War, ranging from trails suitable for everyone to equipped routes for experienced hikers. For each itinerary you will find the starting and arrival points, elevation gain, time required, difficulty level and recommended season. Some routes can be completed over multiple stages, staying overnight in mountain huts and bivouacs. Choose the itinerary that suits you best and to explore the mountains in complete safety, contact our mountain guides.
From Fort Strino to Eastern Mount Tonale
Starting point: Fort Strino (1,538 m a.s.l.)
Arrival point: Eastern Mount Tonale (2,696 m a.s.l.)
Elevation gain: 1,158 m
Time required: 4h 20 minutes
Difficulty: E (Excursion)
Recommended season: from June to October.
Signs: signs for the majority of the route (local signs, SAT Trail no. 160, no. 137 and no. 137A)
Note: a long but not difficult itinerary; it can be shortened by stopping at Fort Zaccarana or at the military settlement known as the “Città Morta- Dead City.” It unfolds largely along the orographic right side of Val di Strino and on the ridge dividing this valley from Val Vermiglio.
From Fort Strino to Torrione d’Albiòlo
Starting point: Fort Strino (1,538 m a.s.l.)
Arrival point: Torrione d’Albiòlo (2,969 m a.s.l.)
Elevation gain: 1,431 m
Time required: 3h 50 minutes
Difficulty: E (Excursion); the last stretch EE (Experienced Hikers)
Recommended season: from June to October.
Signs: well-marked (local signs, SAT Trail no. 137 and no. 137/B)
Note: a long itinerary that can be shortened by stopping at Malga Strino, which in that case becomes an easy walk, or at the military settlement at the foot of Torrione d’Albiòlo. The very last stretch leading to the summit of Torrione d’Albiòlo is only recommended for experienced hikers.
A First World War route suitable for everyone: from the San Bartolomeo Hospice to Fort Zaccarana
A First World War route suitable for everyone: from the San Bartolomeo Hospice to Fort Zaccarana
Starting point: Saint Bartholomew Hospice in the Tonale Pass (1,971 m a.s.l.)
Arrival point: Forte Zaccarana (2,096 m a.s.l.)
Elevation gain: 125 m
Time required: 2h
Difficulty: T (Tourist)
Recommended season: from May to October.
Signs: Well marked (local signs and SAT Trail no.160)
Note: an easy itinerary suitable for everyone. It develops along the orographic left side of the Tonale saddle, mostly across the pastures on the slopes of Eastern Mount Tonale and Mount Biólca.
First World War route for expert hikers: from the San Bartolomeo Hospice to Torrione d’Albiòlo
Starting point: Saint Bartholomew Hospice in the Tonale Pass (1,971 m a.s.l.)
Arrival point: Torrione d’Albiòlo (2,969 m a.s.l.)
Elevation gain: 998 m
Time required: 4h 40 minutes
Difficulty: E (Excursion up to Eastern Mount Tonale (2.00 hours); from Eastern Mount Tonale to Torrione d’Albiòlo EE (Experienced Hikers)
Recommended season: from June to September.
Signs: well-marked (local signs, SAT Trail no. 161, “The Austrian Trail ”)
Note: a long and demanding itinerary; it can be shortened by stopping at Eastern Mount Tonale, which significantly reduces both difficulty and duration. From Eastern Mount Tonale to Torrione d’Albiòlo, the route is only recommended for experienced hikers. The initial section climbs the orographic left side of the Tonale saddle, then continues along equipped stretches on the rocky ridge dividing Valbiòlo from Val di Strino.
From Velon to the Cercen Pass
Starting point: S.P. 94 in Stavel, fork for the Denza Mountain Hut (1,320 m a.s.l.)
Arrival point: Cercen Pass (3,022 m a.s.l.)
Elevation gain: 1,702 m
Time required: 5h 30 minutes
Difficulty: E (Excursion) up to Vedretta Presanella (4h 30 minutes); from Vedretta Presanella to the Cercen Pass EE (Experienced Hikers)
Recommended season: from July a September.
Signs: well-marked (SAT Trail no. 233, SAT Trail no. 206)
Note: a demanding itinerary, mainly due to its length; it can be shortened by stopping at the Denza Mountain Hut, which in that case greatly reduces both difficulty and duration. It is possible to stay overnight at the hut or the adjacent bivouac and continue the next day. The final section, from Vedretta Presanella to the Cercen Pass, the route crosses the glacier, with challenges that are more environmental than mountaineering, and is therefore only recommended for experienced hikers. The itinerary climbs the entire Val Stavel up to the Cercen Pass, the pass connecting it to Val Genova.
From Velon to Alpe Presena
Starting point: S.P. 94 in Stavel, fork for Fort Velon (1,400 m a.s.l.)
Arrival point: Alpe Presena (1,820 m a.s.l.)
Elevation gain: 420 m
Time required: 2h 30 minutes
Difficulty: T (Tourist)
Recommended season: from May to October.
Signs: partially well marked (SAT Trail no. 268)
Note: An easy itinerary suitable for everyone. It winds mostly through conifer forests and a water‑rich environment between Velon and the north‑eastern slopes of the Presena Basin.
First World War routes for everyone: from the Tonale Pass to the Paradiso Pass
First World War routes for everyone: from the Tonale Pass to the Paradiso Pass
Starting point: S.S. 42 in Tonale, fork for the road to Alveo Presena (1,820 m a.s.l.)
Arrival point: Paradiso Pass (2,573 m a.s.l.)
Elevation gain: 753 m
Time required: 3h
Difficulty: E (Excursion)
Recommended season: from June to September.
Signs: well-marked (local signs and SAT Trail no. 281)
Note: an itinerary suitable for everyone and without any particular difficulty, provided that the usual precautions required at high altitude are respected. After skirting the north‑eastern terminal ridge of the Monticelli chain, it climbs Upper Val Presena all the way to the Paradiso Pass.
High‑altitude First World War route: from the Paradiso Pass to Corno di Lagoscuro
Starting point: Paradiso Pass (2,573 m a.s.l.)
Arrival point: Corno di Lagoscuro (3,166 m a.s.l.)
Elevation gain: 593 m
Time required: 5h 10 minutes (total hiking time, since the return follows a completely different route from the outward journey)
Difficulty: E (Excursion up to Passo del Castellaccio (1h 30 minutes); from Passo del Castellaccio up to the Amici della Montagna Bivouac and from here, on the descending return stretch to the Western Presena Glacier, EEA = Expert with Equipment
Recommended season: from July to September.
Signs: well-marked (CAI Trail no. 44 and local signs)
Note: a demanding itinerary, especially in the section from Passo del Castellaccio to the Amici della Montagna bivouac, and then on the descent to the upper margins of the Western Presena Glacier. Since the route develops largely above 3000 m in altitude, with exposed points and long equipped sections similar to a via ferrata, it requires good physical preparation, familiarity with basic mountaineering techniques, and the use of specific equipment (minimum harness, lanyard, and carabiners). For those without experience, relying on a mountain guide is the wisest choice. In its most interesting and challenging part, the itinerary follows the rocky ridge that closes the Presena Basin to the west.
Great War Routes with Mountain guides
The most demanding Great War Routes cross high‑altitude environments, equipped sections, and terrain that require experience and proper preparation. If you want to tackle them in complete safety or deepen your understanding of the history of the places you pass through, contact the Pontedilegno‑Tonale mountain guides: mountain professionals ready to accompany you along the most spectacular itineraries in the Adamello‑Presanella mountain range.
